Solutions, for today and our future.
United Way Greater Toronto mobilizes community leaders, businesses, and government to bring forward practical solutions that address poverty in Peel, Toronto and York Region. We foster strategic partnerships, co-develop and share evidence-based knowledge and seize social and policy-making opportunities to address the root causes of poverty. Collectively, we have the tools to tackle systemic and persistent social issues that keep people in poverty and do so with a commitment to reconciliation, equity and anti-racism.
Our priorities include:
A Strong Social Services Sector
Housing Security
Income Security
Engaged and Connected Residents
Bringing Affordable Housing Home
To support governments and the community sector address a worsening housing crisis, United Ways across Ontario facilitated a province-wide sector engagement to create an action plan: ‘Bringing Affordable Housing Home’ outlines seven strategic recommendations to grow affordable housing and address the full continuum of housing needs in Ontario.
For public affairs inquiries and opportunities please reach out to:
Lori Galway
Director, Public Affairs
lgalway@uwgt.org
Our public policy and mobilization in action
January 31, 2024
Provincial Budget 2024: Ontario United Ways are calling for investment in the non-profit sector to deliver a full range of housing options
As the Government of Ontario outlines its budget priorities for the coming year, Ontario United Ways are calling for investment in, and engagement of, the non-profit sector to deliver the full range of housing options, particularly the affordable and deeply affordable homes, so desperately needed in this province.
September 25, 2023
United Way Greater Toronto unveils “OpenHouse” to Highlight need for Action on Affordable Rentals
United Way Greater Toronto, in collaboration with creative agency Sid Lee, turned a 150 sq ft. residential parking spot into an affordable one-bedroom rental opportunity for $250/month
June 01, 2023
Our Future, Our Vote: A Toronto For All
Watch the mayoral candidates debate hosted by United Way Greater Toronto, The Toronto Star and Toronto Metropolitan University on May 31.
May 18, 2023
Feedback on Future Regulations to Create a Balanced Framework Around Municipal Rental Replacement By-Laws
This brief, submitted jointly by United Ways across Ontario, Tower Renewal Partnership and Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership provides feedback on proposal changes to enable the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to set minimum requirements which municipalities must impose on landowners, if they have rental replacement by-laws. It follows an earlier submission in December 2022 with recommendations to the provincial government on preserving and renewing existing affordable rental stock so that low-income Ontarians can remain safely and securely housed.
February 06, 2023
Budget 2023: Ontario United Ways are Ready to Support Government in Building a Thriving Province
Ontario United Ways present four areas for the province to invest in that will address the growing roots of poverty and create a lasting impact.
December 20, 2022
Submission on Portable Benefits in Ontario
United Way Greater Toronto makes recommendations to the Government of Ontario on portable benefits policy to mitigate the impact of precarious employment on the health and wellbeing of workers and the provincial economy.
December 08, 2022
More Homes Built Faster Act
United Ways across Ontario, Tower Renewal Partnership, and Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership make recommendations to the provincial government on preserving and renewing existing affordable rental stock so that low-income Ontarians can remain safely and securely housed.
November 15, 2022
Ending homelessness in Toronto is within reach — if municipal candidates make it a priority
More people experience homelessness than ever before, and services meant to help are at a breaking point. We have the resources to end this crisis.
July 06, 2022
In Open Letter to Premier Doug Ford, United Ways across Ontario call for action on toughest issues facing Ontarians
United Way leaders from across Ontario addressed an open letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet yesterday morning calling for close collaboration to alleviate a multitude of social issues plaguing the province.
January 17, 2022
Open Letter in advance of the provincial-municipal housing summit on January 19, 2022
United Way Greater Toronto believes that addressing housing affordability is critical to an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about this open letter regarding the affordable housing crisis.